House extension, loft conversion & building plans by Stockport based DETAIL

Are you looking for a house extension in Stockport, Cheshire? DETAIL produce architectural plans and drawings for house extensions, loft conversions and new build developments. We realise the ideas you have for creating your dream home, helping you through every step of the process from the initial meeting through to completion.

WHAT WE DO

DETAIL has developed a unique menu that allows home owners to choose the services that will add value to their project. Every client and every project is different so make sure that you work in a way that works best for you. Whether you choose to use it sparingly or as a complete service, this menu should enable you to be in control of your project from concept to completion.

INITIAL VISIT

What happens first? Our journey begins with you. The most effective way to prepare for a successful project is to follow a logical process. We untangle this process step-by-step to provide you with support, creative input and experience from starting point to finished project.

MEASURED SURVEY

Why is a measured survey necessary? The measured survey gives you an accurate starting point. If you are extending an existing house, you will have the precise dimensions of the house, so plans can be properly prepared. If you are building new, you will have the size and levels of the land.

SCHEME DESIGN

This is where accuracy is introduced. Based on accurate survey information, drawings are developed that show the overall plans and elevations. The Scheme design stage is about bringing reality to the proposals, to a state where they can be measured, visualised, organised and costed.

STATUTORY CONSENTS

Do I need Planning Permission? The most fundamental hurdle to cross is gaining the correct statutory permissions for your project. Planning Permission, Listed Building Consent and Building Regulations are all legal requirements. DETAIL act as your agent taking care of these matters.

COST MANAGEMENT

Unlike a general builder’s quotation or estimate – our scheduled breakdown accurately lists itemised quantities and direct costs for materials, plant and labour through every element of your build. This will give you total transparency and budget control over your proposed build.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Our experienced team of Project Managers will ensure that your project is delivered to meticulous standards, on time and on budget. We will professionally manage the construction, ensuring workmanship to the highest quality within strict health & safety and environmental standards.

TIPS & ADVICE

Click on the icons bellow for tips & advice on common projects.

SINGLE STOREY EXTENSION

Whether it’s the dream of a luxury open plan kitchen-dining room or the need for added utility space for your growing family - the single storey house extension is the most commonly sought after extension for adding quality living and value to your home.

TWO STOREY EXTENSION

Gain the extra room you need with spectacular effect with a two storey house extension – from a new bedroom, bathroom, home office and play room for the kids – to that luxury walk-in wardrobe and en-suite we all long for. We plan, design and deliver a living space tailored for you and your family.

DORMER LOFT CONVERSION

With tight property boundaries or garden space which has already been allocated comes the option to extend into the loft. Choices range from Hip-to-Gable and Velux loft conversions, to Dormer and Mansard loft conversions. We plan, design and deliver the conversion to complement its future use.

BASEMENT CONVERSION

The unused basement which has budding potential to be converted can be realised in a cost-effective, practical and undisruptive approach. A basement conversion will enhance your home forming a new valuable, useable and functional space. Whether that’s a playroom, a home cinema or a practical utility and store room.

OUTBUILDINGS

Why not conjure the extra room you need from surplus garden space? Outbuildings are becoming increasingly popular as obtaining full Planning Permission is not always required. Ideal for office space, summer houses, gymnasiums and countless other bespoke retreats; a truly special addition to your home.

NEW BUILD DEVELOPMENTS

Detail are always privileged to collaborate with our clients on New Build Developments - from sketch plans and working drawings to our assistance in delivering the build. The journey is exciting, interactive and composed – producing a finished project which will mirror your dream home.

DISCOVER MORE

From examples of past and present work to finding inspiration and ideas for your project.

FACEBOOK

Our portfolio of completed works along with progress updates on our live projects.

TWITTER

Follow us on Twitter for daily updates on our live projects and industry news.

PINTEREST

A great place to seek inspiration and ideas for your dream living space.

WORDPRESS

View our latest work and news and discover more about what is involved in planning process – along with many more associated topics for tips, guidance and advice.

WHO WE ARE

Meet the Detail team

Neil Houlihan

Director

Stockport based Detail, offer comprehensive Architectural and Construction Services to commercial clients and domestic homeowners alike, throughout, Cheshire, Greater Manchester and the North West. We plan and design New Build homes, housing and House Extensions, including loft conversions, garage conversions, alterations and access adaptations as well as project managing building works across the commercial sector.

DETAIL are committed to realising our clients' ideas and potential whether a national developer or a private client wanting their dream home. We work hand in hand with our clients using our experience, knowledge and expertise to guide you through the design and construction process.

Contact Us

Call us on:

0161 430 5050

Email Address

info@detailconsultants.co.uk

Our Address

Maxron House

Green Lane

Romiley

Stockport

Postcode

SK6 3JQ

INITIAL VISIT

A personal interactive experience where our accomplished design team can demonstrate the various opportunities your project presents through exploring your ideas.

Defining your starting point, aims and objectives is vital because it will allow us to focus on the reasons why you are starting the project. The four main reasons for undertaking home improvements are:

1. More Space

By far, the most common objective is the desire for more space. More often than not, this is driven by a function that your home cannot fulfil satisfactorily. If this is your key objective, try to distil exactly how you would use the space. You might be struggling in a small kitchen, or be expecting a child and need an extra bedroom. You might want extra space in order to work from home, or need somewhere for guests to stay.

2. Better Space

Even if your home is big enough, it may well be that you can improve the space to suit your lifestyle. Perhaps the circulation is poor, or you feel cut off from the family when in the kitchen. You might want to improve the view of the garden or bring in more natural light. As the way we live changes, the way our homes are arranged can become outmoded; it is now common to want a computer and work space in the heart of the home, especially if the whole family need to use it.

3. Increased Value

The huge growth in property prices over the past decade has meant that our homes are the backbone of financial stability for most of us. The desire to climb the property ladder by improving and moving on is widespread. The recent credit crunch has cast doubt over such enterprise, but so many people still have so much money tied up in their homes that property will continue to hold value. Today, more and more people are planning to stay in their property and are keen to know that any money they spend on their home will increase the value by at least as much as the improvements have cost. If this is a main motivator for your project, it is good to identify it now, as it will shape many of the decisions to come.

4. Change Of Use

Identify how well the current space and arrangement of rooms suits your lifestyle. Can certain areas be more effective if used differently? Can you redevelop a carport into a comfortable living room, or turn a small bedroom into an en-suite bedroom? If you are lucky enough to have outbuildings or a basement, can they be converted into a bright games room or a self-contained guest suite?

Putting Your Brief Together

1. Key Objectives

This is where we list the main reasons for your development. For example, you may need one more bedroom, you may have an absolute completion date in mind, or you simply must have good hot water pressure. These absolutes must be clarified as such and this section should contain those things that you regard as fundamental.

2. Wish List

This can be any combination of written items, sketches, tear-outs from magazines, downloaded images, and so on, to communicate what you are after.

We are discussing your Wish List here, so don't hold back!

Think about how you actually use your home, and which rooms you spend the most time in. We are here to explore options and pull your visions together.

MEASURED SURVEY

Without an accurate starting point..
..what chance is there of an accurate proposal?

A measured survey will give you accurate drawings of the existing building. Measurements taken on site are entered into our computer software. Precise plans, elevations and sections are produced of your existing property.

Sometimes as a result of a measured survey space can be identified and used to greater effect than originally thought – such as voids under the stairs for a wash room.

It is important to remember that accurate drawings of the existing structure can help to avoid problems later – inaccurate drawings can be nullified at later planning stages, causing long delays and extra expense.

New build developments may require a topographical survey – a measure of the size and levels of the land as well as any existing buildings based on the site. A recent project involving several house extensions in Stockport required a topographical survey as excavations and level changes were part of the proposed scheme.

Topographical Survey for house extensions in Stockport, Manchester.

SCHEME DESIGN

Accurate existing drawings are produced from the measured survey and feasible schemes are generated from your design brief.

Above: Scheme for a first floor house extension in Stockport, Cheshire.

Scheme design drawings are a set of plans, sections and elevations that show the general layout of the proposals as a whole. Further development of the scheme is typical as new ideas and different layouts evolve into a final scheme which is most suitable for you.

The drawings are to scale allowing us to get the proportions right for your extension, making a huge difference to the look of your final project. Block furniture and dimensions are added to your plans to help fully appreciate the overall scale and size of your proposal.

Scheme drawings communicate the dimensions you need to ensure everything will fit. Even for such things as ordering flooring, kitchen units or fitted furniture – thinking and planning ahead will certainly save time and expense. DETAIL questions a whole range of other factors for your consideration – making your development more functional, desirable and successful.

STATUTORY CONSENTS

Planning Application

Communicating your intentions to the planning department in a way that allows your scheme to be seen in its best light can make all the difference to your chances for gaining approval.

DETAIL act as your agent – we fill out the application forms, collate well-presented drawings and other supporting information and submit you application. Planning applications usually take at least eight weeks to be processed.

There are, of course, costs associated with making a planning application. Statutory application fees have to be paid when the application is lodged and these will vary depending on the size of the proposed project.

Stockport Council’s website has a list of planning fees for house extensions in Stockport.

Planning drawings provide the backbone for what is needed for most projects. However, while these may include some general building notes, and flag where other consultants or further detail may be needed, they are not intended as construction plans.

In simple terms, the more information you have on your drawings, the easier your project will be to manage. Complex buildings need a great deal of specification, whereas simple projects can get by with less.

Permitted Development

Permitted development is automatic planning permission for a list of situations for which you do not have to make a planning application. Unless they have been specifically removed, every house has permitted development rights. These are the rights you have as a home owner and you can simply start building from our proposed scheme designs - subject to relevant permissions from Building Control.

Certificate of Lawfulness

It is advisable however to seek a Certificate of Lawfulness, issued by the planning department to state that what you are doing is indeed within the criteria to conform with Permitted Development. If you are selling your property after your build, conveyancing will be made smoother if a certificate is available.

Full Plans Building Regulations Application

The building regulations are based on the notion that buildings have to be built to minimum quality standards. This requires a more detailed set of plans, sections and elevations containing specific information. Alongside these drawings, additional information is provided such as structural calculations and thermal performance figures.

Other Consents

This covers the preparation of other application submissions such as Listed Building Consent, Land Lord Consents and Party Wall Act notices.

COST MANAGEMENT

Our question to you is – Why settle for a rough estimate?

The most frequently asked question is how much will my extension cost?

With the typical reply being approximately £1,000 per metre square, plus VAT.

DETAIL do things differently

We give you an accurate build cost for your project from as early on as the scheme design stage.

A complete schedule of costs is presented to our clients. This tells you how much you will pay for materials, labour and plant across every aspect of your build.

Put simply, the schedule highlights the direct cost you are likely to pay before profit margins are placed on top.

This gives you total transparency and control when it comes to appointing a builder, as you will have a very accurate indication of how much your extension will cost.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Plan - Design - Deliver
every DETAIL covered.

Can we deliver your project for less? On top of the cost of your project, a building contractor will apply margins covering their overheads and profit.

DETAIL do things differently.

Remove these margins in favour of a management fee and you can typically save 15% of the contract sum. Our highly experienced team of Project Managers will ensure that your project is delivered to meticulous standards, on time and to budget. We will professionally manage the construction, ensuring workmanship to the highest quality and within strict health & safety and environmental standards. We are happy to provide you with a free consultation to discuss your build in more DETAIL.